Air conditioning system for a mobile home including an interlock

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides an air conditioning system for a mobile home. The system includes securing a mounting means to the support structure of the mobile home and an air conditioning unit that is adapted to be removably secured to the mounting means. When installed on the mounting means, the air conditioning unit is aligned to deliver conditioned air into the interior of the mobile home through its built-in air distribution system. An interlock system is arranged that is effective in preventing removal of the air conditioning unit from the mounting means when the unit is electrically connected to the mobile home power supply.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an air conditioning system to be used in a mobile home and more particularly to an air conditioning unit that is adapted to deliver air to the interior of the mobile home through its own built-in air distribution system. Provision is made during construction of the mobile home to accommodate a mounting or adaptor means that is located in the support structure of the mobile home and arranged to communicate with the air distribution system of the mobile home. When properly located in the mounting means, the air delivery outlet of the air conditioning unit is aligned to deliver air to the air distribution system of the mobile home.

The air conditioning unit when used is removably secured to the mounting means with its air outlet and inlet areas positioned to deliver air into the mobile home air distribution system.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Traditionally, air conditioning units when used in mobile homes require the use of cumbersome, flexible duct work to connect the unit into the air distribution system of the mobile home. In many installations, the exposed flexible duct work would be installed in a manner that would be considered unsightly but, more importantly, they are delicate and are therefore susceptible to physical damage.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,566,614--Imral provides a low-profile air conditioning unit that may be positioned under the mobile home. However, when the air conditioning unit, as taught in the above patent, is placed under the mobile home, the unit must then be connected into the mobile home air distribution system, which is an additional expense in both material and labor. Furthermore, the unit must still be connected by either the customary light-weight, delicate, flexible ducting or the more expensive rigid, sheet-metal ducting which when used would have to be fabricated and dimensioned for each installation requirement.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,712,078--Maynard provides a refrigeration unit including two covers, one solid and the other having a plurality of openings that are adapted to be used as inlet and outlet openings for circulating air from a removably mounted refrigeration unit into a refrigerator cabinet. The covers are dimensioned to be interchangeably secured to the bottom or top of the refrigeration unit, so that it may be positioned to supply refrigerated air upwardly when it is located in the bottom of the cabinet or downwardly when it is located above the cabinet.

U.S. Patent No. 3,206,943--Rice et al shows a refrigeration unit arranged or adapted to be removably positioned in the bottom of a refrigerator cabinet. The refrigeration unit package is provided with rollers that cooperatively engage a track positioned on the cabinet wall that permits locating the refrigeration inlet and outlet openings into proper alignment with appropriate air distribution flues in the refrigerator cabinet.

While both of the above-mentioned U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,712,708 and 3,206,943 provide removably arranged refrigeration units relative to refrigeration cabinets, it should be noted, however, that the present invention of providing an interlock system associated with the electrical connectors that is effective in preventing removal of the air conditioner when it is electrically connected to the mobile home power supply is not shown nor suggested.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,525,869 -- Corhanidis discloses a refrigeration system that is removably mounted on a railroad car. The refrigeration unit is received in rails that are mounted on a frame that in turn is inserted into the floor of the chamber to be cooled. The frame has inlet and outlet ports formed therein. The chamber to be cooled may be provided with a conduit for receiving and distributing the cooled air. The above patent does not show nor teach the provision of a mounting means that includes interlock means that prevents removal of the air conditioning unit when it is electrically connected to the mobile home power supply.

The present invention provides a mounting means installed in the mobile home during its construction and, optionally, at some later or subsequent time, an air conditioning unit that is adapted to be removably received in the mounting means may be supplied and installed in the adaptor plate in alignment and cooperation with the air distribution system of the mobile home. An interlock system between the mounting means and the air conditioning unit is effective in preventing removal of the unit from the mounting means when the unit is electrically connected to the mobile home power supply.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

By this invention, there is provided an air conditioning system for use in a mobile home. The mobile home includes the customary support structure which carries the mobile home living quarters and an air distribution system providing an air inlet into the interior of the living quarters of the mobile home.

A mounting means is secured to the mobile home support structure at the time the mobile home is constructed. The mounting means is so arranged and constructed that it is adapted to slidably receive an air conditioning unit at some later time. The mounting means further provides air communication means from the air conditioning unit air delivery outlet to the mobile home air distribution system and for the air returning from the interior of the mobile home to the air conditioning unit air-return inlet when the air conditioning unit is properly located in the plate.

A component area in the mounting means includes an electrical connector having an interlock associated therewith that is effective in mechanically securing the air conditioning unit against movement relative to the mounting means when the air conditioning unit is electrically connected to the mobile home power supply.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a system for air conditioning a mobile home and the method of adapting the mobile home to removably receive a self-contained air conditioning unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a typical mobile home adapted with the present system;

FIG. 2 is a partial sectional elevational view taken along lines 2--2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partial plan view with parts broken away;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the mobile home base structure of FIGS. 2 and 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the air conditioning unit employed in the present system;

FIG. 6 is a sectional elevational view with parts broken away showing the air conditioner in its installed position; and

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary exploded perspective view showing the interlock system of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, a mobile home 10 having side walls 12 is supported on a base structure 14. The base structure 14 includes a floor section 16 mounted on or carried on a support frame 16 which may be mounted on a wheel assembly 20 for transporting the mobile home from one location to another.

While the base structure 14 configurations may vary with manufacturers of mobile homes, one basic and accepted form used by manufacturers of mobile homes will herein be described in conjunction with the present invention. The support frame 18 includes parallel spaced main support I-beams or members 19 arranged longitudinally with respect to the mobile home 10. The beams 19 are spaced or located inwardly from the outer side walls 12 of the mobile home 10 to provide a support area 11. In order to provide adequate support for the entire width of the mobile home 10 including the portion between the beam 19 and side walls 12, side support or cantilever members 13 are spaced longitudinally and are secured to the beams 19. The side support members 13 project laterally outwardly so that the free ends are adjacent the outer edge of said walls 12 and support side beams 15 located directly under the outer walls 12.

The floor section 16 includes floor support members or joists 22, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, that are arranged parallel with the support beams 19 and side beams 15 in a spaced relationship across the width of the mobile home. The mobile home is customarily provided with a forced air heating furnace (not shown) which distributes heated air to the various rooms, or zones 17, to be heated through an air distribution system main duct 24. The duct 24 is arranged longitudinally extending usually substantially the full length of the mobile home, and may include air-delivery outlets 25 in each or selected ones of the zones 17 to be heated. In this arrangement, the air distribution system main duct 24 used in conjunction with the heating system of the mobile home 10 may be conveniently arranged between floor joists 22, that is between the floor 26 of the mobile home and the upper surface of the support member 19 or may be supported below them.

In accordance with the present invention, an air conditioning unit 30 (FIGS. 2, 4 and 5) is adapted to be used in conjunction with the mobile home air distribution system duct 24. To this end, aligning and mounting means 27 are provided in floor section 16. The aligning means 27 include a mounting or adapter plate 28 secured to the underside of the floor section 16 during the manufacture of the mobile home. The air conditioning unit 30 employed in the present system is capable of circulating conditioned air through the mobile home and is arranged to be removably received in the adaptor plate 28.

The plate 28 is conveniently located in the support area 11, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, between members 13 in one or more locations in the mobile home, depending on the size of the mobile home, the number of zones to be conditioned and the preference of size and capacity of the air conditioning unit.

The back or rear edge of the plate 28 (FIGS. 2, 3 and 4) is provided with an upwardly projecting flange 32 which is secured against the outer side of support beam 15 below wall 12 of the floor section 16. The front or forward edge of the adaptor plate 28 is provided with a downwardly extending flange 34 which includes a series of elongated slots or openings 36. Secured in the slots 36 are angle or support brackets 38 which have their other or upper ends secured cross members 39 fastened to the floor support joist 22. The brackets 38 are similarly provided with a plurality of holes which, together with the slots 36, allow a great degree of vertical and longitudinal flexibility of the forward end of plate 28 with respect to the spacing and dimensions of the joist 22.

Referring now to FIG. 5, the air conditioning unit 30 to be used in conjunction with the mobile home 10 and its distribution system duct 24 is a self-contained unit arranged in a cabinet 31 and includes the customary refrigeration system having an evaporator section 42, condenser 43, compressor 44, power or control section 46, a motor 48 for driving fan 50 arranged in an opening in a barrier 52. The fan 50 moves air in through an opening 51 in the side wall of the cabinet 31 and through the condenser 43 on the other side of the barrier 52 and out through louvers arranged in the rear wall of cabinet 31. The motor 48 is of the double-shaft type and also drives a blower 54 arranged in the other side of a barrier 56 which is the main barrier dividing the cabinet 31 into the customary indoor-outdoor sections. The blower 54 draws air through a return inlet 58 arranged in the cover or upper wall of cabinet 31 through an appropriate filter 60, evaporator 42 and into a discharge chamber 61 which includes air discharge outlet 62 arranged in the upper wall and an outlet 64 arranged in the forward wall respectively of cabinet 31. The control section 46 and compressor 44 are located in a service area 47 (FIGS. 5 and 7) provided between barriers 52 and 56. The return inlet 58 as shown in FIG. 5 is dimensioned to extend beyond barrier 56 to provide access to the service area 47. The unit as used in conjunction with the present embodiment of the invention wherein the floor joists 22 are arranged longitudinally, the outlet 62 is covered with a plate 63 and outlet 64 is used, will be described hereinafter. It should be noted, however, that outlet 64 may be located on any side wall of cabinet 31 including the bottom wall that communicates with chamber 61.

The air conditioning unit 30 used in conjunction with the present embodiment of the present invention may be of the type that provides both cooling and heating, in which event the mobile home heating furnace may not be installed or used. In order to supply heated air to the mobile home, the air conditioning unit may be of the reverse cycle, heat pump type or alternately as shown in FIG. 15, a resistance heater 59 may be arranged in the path of discharge air in the chamber 61. It should be understood that when the air conditioning unit provides both cooling and heating, a heating furnace may not be supplied in which event the air distribution duct 24 may be segmented depending on the number of air conditioning units used and the number or locations of the zones. As will be hereinafter explained in detail, the air conditioning unit 30 is controlled by a temperature responsive thermostat means 67 arranged conveniently in one or more of the mobile home zones 17.

The mounting means 27 and more specifically the adaptor plate 28, used in the floor section construction shown in drawings is provided with an air-return opening 66 arranged, as will be hereinafter explained, to communicate with the interior of the mobile homes, and a barrier or plate 65 which has an air outlet 68 positioned therein. It will be noted that the opening 66, as will be hereinafter explained in detail, aligns with opening 58 while opening 68 aligns with opening 64 when the air conditioning unit is fully located in the adaptor plate 28.

The aligning means 27, and more specifically the adaptor plate 28, employed in the floor construction of the mobile home 10 shown in the drawings, provides means for connecting the air outlet 64 of the air conditioner unit 30 into communication with the air distribution duct 24. Accordingly the air communication means from the air conditioner air delivery outlet 64 to the air distribution system duct 24 is arranged to extend across the bottom of support member 19.

To this end, the aligning means 27 provides the barrier or plate 65 which includes the opening 68 adjustably secured to the flange 34. The plate 65 is secured to the forward edge of plate 28 and extends downwardly so that the opening 68 is located below the lower distal edge of beam 19. The opening 68 is adjusted into horizontal alignment with opening 64 by positioning the plate 65 in the slots 36 of flange 34.

Further, in this type mobile home construction, communication between the air conditioning unit 30 and duct 24 is effected by an air conduit means 70. The conduit 70 extends from the opening 68 across the bottom distal edge of beam 19 and then upwardly to an opening 72 in the mobile home air distribution duct 24. Alternatively as mentioned hereinbefore, the opening 64 in the cabinet 31 may be located in the side wall and the plate 65 arranged adjacent the side wall with duct 70 extending across the bottom of beam 19 as hereinbefore described.

Means are provided to support and position the duct 70 on the beam 19 so that duct 70 is axially aligned with opening 68 on the plate 65. Accordingly, the duct 70 rests and is supported on the bottom wall portion of a U-shaped sleeve member 74. The upper ends of the side wall portions 76 of the sleeve 74 are provided with outwardly projecting flanges 78. The sleeve 74 is secured to the beam 19 by a pair of clamps 80 that are secured to each of the flanges 78 and are appropriately shaped to engage the lower oppositely projecting leg portion of the I-beam 19. This clamping arrangement provides longitudinal adjustment along the I-beam 19 while the placement of the clamps 80 in appropriate holes arranged in the flanges 78 provides horizontal axial adjustment relative to opening 68. The sleeve 74 is secured in appropriately selected openings in a vertically arranged flange 82 formed in the plate 65 to support the aligned conduit 70 between the bottom wall of sleeve member 74 and the beam 19. As can be readily understood the conduit 70 provides a means for aligning the opening 68 in plate 65 of the aligning means 27 and more specifically the air conditioning air outlet 64 with the distribution system duct 24.

To properly insure the intimate alignment of the openings 58 with 66 and opening 64 and 68, the adaptor plate 28 is provided with a depending track or support means 84 projecting downwardly along the parallel side walls of the plate 28. The track 84 is provided with a raceway 86 formed to receive a guide member 88 (FIGS. 4 and 5) projecting from the upper side edges of the upper wall of the air conditioning unit cabinet 31. The raceway 86 is formed so that it inclines upwardly from the flange 32 end of the plate 28. The guide member 88 has a downwardly projecting cam member 90 formed on its trailing edge.

In operation, that is during the insertion of the air conditioning unit guide member 88 into the raceway 86 of the adaptor plate 28, the leading or forward edge of the guide member 88 rides upwardly in the raceway 86 toward the underside of the plate 28 with the cam member 90 engaging the open rear end of the raceway 86 just prior to the complete insertion of the air conditioning unit 30. During the last portion of the insertion process, the cam member 90 causes the rear or trailing end of the air conditioner to be raised as it is completely inserted into the raceway 86 so that the top wall of the cabinet 31 is parallel to and against the plate 28 with the appropriate openings 58, 66 and 62, 68 engaged in a sealed air transfer position.

In order for the blower 54 to draw air from the interior of the mobile home, means are provided in the mounting means 27 to connect air-return openings 58 and 66 with an opening 92 in the floor 26 of the mobile home. Accordingly, as seen in FIGS. 4 and 6, the air-return openings 66 and 58 are aligned by a suitable ducting 94 which defines an air-return passageway or opening 96 in the floor section 16. The opening 92 may be provided with an appropriate removably arranged grille 98. The vertical flexibility of plate 28 afforded by the flange 32 and brackets 38 permits the use of a duct, 94 having a standard axial dimension. This is especially important in that floor joist dimensions may vary according to manufacturers. It would not be practical in all instances to secure the plate 28 directly to the floor joist since the axial dimension of the duct would then have to be fabricated to match the joist dimension. By employing the arrangement shown the duct 94 and passageway 96 may be secured to and be an integral part of the plate 28. The plate 28 including duct 96 can then be suspended at its forward end by positioning brackets 38 on joists 22 and at its rear end by vertically positioning the flange 32 on beam 15 so that the upper peripheral edge of duct 94 is adjacent the floor 26.

Access is provided to certain essential electrical control and operating components of the air conditioning system from the interior of the mobile home. Accordingly, various service functions may be performed without necessitating the removal of the air conditioner from its adaptor plate.

Referring now to FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, it will be seen that access to the filter 60, control section 46, compressor 44 in service area 47, and a control box 100 in the evaporator area, is provided from the interior of the mobile home and more specifically through the air-return opening 92. To this end the opening 58 is dimensioned to extend beyond the evaporator side of barrier 56 to expose compressor 44 and control section 46 in the service area 47.

Electric power is supplied from the mobile home power supply (not shown) to a disconnect switch 102 arranged in the passageway 96 so that power to the air conditioner may be interrupted conveniently for servicing of the air conditioners without using the main power supply of the mobile home. Power from the disconnect 102 is supplied to a high voltage terminal box 104 wire from the thermostat 67 and low voltage circuit system of the air conditioner is supplied to a low voltage terminal 106 located in a component or storage area 109. A power cord, including a high-voltage plug 107 is connected to the terminal box 104 and a low-voltage cord, including a low-voltage plug 108 is connected to the terminal block 106 conveniently arranged in the component area 109. The area 109 is provided with a protective cover 110 which is accessible with the removal of grille 98. The plug area 109 is arranged over the control section 46 when the air conditioner is fully positioned in the plate 28.

By the present invention means are provided to prevent movement of the air conditioner relative to the plate 28 when the air conditioner is connected to the electric power supply. To this end the bottom wall of the area 109 is provided with openings 111 which align with high-voltage receptacle 112 and low-voltage receptacle 113 mounted in the control section 46. To electrically connect the air conditioner 30 to the power source and to the appropriate temperature control means of the mobile home, cover 110 is removed or rotated to its open position and plugs 107, 108 are inserted through openings 111 formed in plate 28 in area 109 and into receptacles 112 and 113 respectively.

As can easily be understood that with the electrical connection made and plugs 107, 108 projecting through openings 111, a mechanical interlock is provided in that the air conditioner cannot be removed until plugs 107, 108 are removed from receptacles 112 and 113. However, to further increase the integrity of the interlock and to satisfy certain electrical codes, a mechanical interlock means is provided.

To this end, in accordance with the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a pin 114 attached to the high-voltage plug 107 is dimensioned to extend through an opening 115 in plate 28 located in the bottom wall of area 109. At the time plug 107 is inserted into receptacle 112, pin 114 is arranged to be received in an opening 116 in section 46, thereby providing a mechanical interlock between the removably arranged air conditioning unit 30 and the plate 28 secured to the mobile home 10. It should be understood, however, that while the pin 114 is attached to the plug 107 it may be associated with plug 108, or alternatively, plugs 107, 108 may possibly be combined, with the pin 114 being associated with the combined plug. The above arrangement, however, does provide an interlock when the air conditioner is electrically connected to the power source that is effective in preventing the removal of the air conditioner 30 from the plate 28.

Also accessible as hereinbefore mentioned through the air-return passageway 96 is the control box 100 which is located in the evaporator side of barrier 56. The control box 100 may contain circuit terminal check points and other electrical components that may require periodic inspection and is provided with a protective cover 118.

It is apparent from the foregoing that many of the service functions that may be necessary regarding the maintenance of air conditioner 30 including inspection of filter 60 may be carried out from the inside of the mobile home through the air-return passageway 81 and, more specifically, without removing the air conditioner 30 from the plate 28.

Referring to FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, the insertion of low-voltage plug 108 into receptacle 113 completes a low voltage circuit to the thermostat 67 that is effective to control the operation of the air conditioning to maintain a preselected temperature in the zone or zones 17. In the event more than one air conditioning unit 30 is employed in the mobile home 10 a separate thermostat 67 may be provided for each of the units or a central control may be utilized. The specific arrangement of the temperature control may vary with each installation.

In summary it should be apparent from the foregoing description that an air conditioning system and method are provided for air conditioning a mobile home that includes installing a mounting means during construction of the mobile home for adapting the mobile home to removably receive a self-contained air conditioning unit. The mounting means includes air communication means for connecting the air conditioner in air communication with the distribution system duct of the mobile home. The present invention provides for an interlock system that prevents removal of the air conditioning unit from its mounting means when the unit is electrically connected to the mobile home electric power supply.

While there has been shown and described a specific embodiment of the invention, it will be understood that it is not limited thereto and it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An air conditioning system including a mobile home having at least one zone to be air conditioned and a base structure, air distribution means associated with said base structure, said system comprising:an air conditioning unit being adapted to be removably attached to said mobile home including a cabinet having air moving means, air delivery and air return outlets, and a service area adjacent said air return outlet; said air distribution means including at least one air inlet for receiving air from said air conditioning unit and air outlet for delivering air into said mobile home zone; mounting means attached to said base structure for removably receiving said air conditioning unit including a first opening aligned with said air conditioning air delivery outlet and a second opening in alignment with said unit's air return outlet when said unit is located in said mounting means; air communicating means including a first passageway connecting said first opening and with said air distribution means for delivering air into said mobile home and a second passageway for connecting said second opening with said mobile home interior so that said air moving means recirculates air through said mobile home; electric power supply means associated with said mobile home including electric plug connector means positioned in said second passageway; electric receptacle connector means in said service area; said mounting means including an opening arranged for access from said second passageway being in alignment with said electric receptacle connector when said air conditioner is located in said mounting means; and said electric connector plug extending through said opening in said mounting means for insertion into said electric receptacle connector to prevent movement of said air conditioner relative to said mounting means.
 2. The air conditioning system according to claim 1 wherein an electric component area is arranged in said second passageway and said openings in said mounting means being arranged in said component area.
 3. The air conditioning system according to claim 1 wherein a first element associated with one of said connector means being dimensioned to engage a second element on the other of said connectors to prevent removal of said air conditioner from said mounting means when said electric plug connector is in engagement with said receptacle connector.
 4. The air conditioning system according to claim 3 wherein said first element includes interlock male means associated with said plug connector being adapted to engage interlock female means in said service area.
 5. An air conditioner for use in a mobile home including at least one zone to be air conditioned, a base structure, an air distribution system associated with said base structure having an air outlet positioned in said zone, an adaptor plate attached to said base structure for removably receiving said air conditioning unit, air communicating means including a first passageway communicating between a first opening in said adaptor plate and said air distribution means, a second passageway between a second opening in said adaptor plate and the interior of said mobile home, electric component area in said adaptor plate arranged in said passageway for access from said mobile home zone, electric power supply means associated with said mobile home including electric plug connector means positioned in said component area, said air conditioner comprising:an air conditioning unit being adapted to be removably attached to said mobile home including a cabinet having an air inlet opening and an air delivery opening, a service area adjacent said air return outlet and air moving means for moving air from said inlet opening and out said air delivery opening; guide means on said air conditioner engaging support means on said adaptor plate for positioning said air conditioner in said adaptor plate so that said air delivery outlet is in communication with said first opening, and said air inlet opening is in communication with said second opening when said air conditioning unit is located in said adaptor plate whereby air is circulated through said mobile home by said air moving means; and electric receptable connector means in said air conditioner cabinet being in alignment with said openings in the bottom wall of said component area when said air conditioner is located in said mounting means for receiving said electrical connector for electrically connecting said air conditioner to said mobile home electric power supply to prevent removal of said air conditioner from said mounting means when said electrical connector extends through said opening in the bottom wall of said component area.
 6. The air conditioning system according to claim 5 wherein a first element associated with one of said connector means being dimensioned to engage a second element on the other of said connectors to prevent removal of said air conditioner from said mounting means when said electric plug connector is in engagement with said receptacle connector.
 7. The air conditioning system according to claim 6 wherein said first element includes interlock male means associated with said plug connector being adapted to engage interlock female means in said service area. 